The Steel Guitar Forum

Dick S.,

Yes, of course. I'd be very content by knowing that others share thoughts that would benefit others who are involved in some way with the pedal steel guitar as a study.

Are you psychic now ?you KNOW what my main concerns are. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Charles,

I refuse to believe that a steel guitarist could become involved in such antagonistic behavior. My respect has declined for a variety of reasons, mostly because your BARK is much worse than your BITE. Furthermore, you seem to keep chanting "WOLF", like the little boy in the fairy tale, hiding under the old washtub. Your intemperate criticism will not help you in the study of the pedal steel guitar. Man versus steel guitar is without doubt, just about all you can manage to deal with. Exclude all mischief from your thoughts. It will be easier to live and let live.

Don't worry about me Bill,AT Least I don't have to work on the same tune for years[Pick me up on your way down].It's obvious why you want to practice so much.I control my instrument not vice versa.It seems you are consumed by yours,[THAT'S NOT GOOD]Talk about crying wolf,Why don't you FOLLOW through with the hype you spout. A good while back you told everyone here [I'M WORKING ON A REVOLUTIONARY NEW COURSE FOR THE E9TH TUNING] those were your words.Where is it ? YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC,

Dick Sexton wrote:Bill, I applaud you. Your last post was concise, non rambling and informative. Can we report a break through in communications witnessed in this thread. I do hope so.

I too applaud every effort at intelligent discourse. Please, let's keep the bickering at a minimum and stay on topic. The Steel Guitar Forum is no place for personal attacks.

My first exposure to the steel guitar, up close and personal, happened on the lakefront of LAKE ONOTA here in PITTSFIELD, MA. I was invited to an old farmhouse on the south side of the lake to jam with a friend who played standard 6 string guitar. When I arrived Mr. Bob Gary on straight steel was there, and Dave Sime who lived there, plus Russ Bennett, the person who extended an invitation to me to join the jamming group. At that time, I was wiry and full of energy. Instrumentals played on the Spanish guitar was what I was about. Without thinking or knowing what could be played on a lap steel with ease, I cut loose with "UNDER THE DOUBLE EAGLE" in double time. I didn't know BUDDY EMMONS from the man in the moon back in those earlier times. BOB the steel player just sat through the whole song, and never picked a note on the steel. He was fine blending in with moderato numbers, but declined the uptempo tune. At that time, I surmised that the steel was limited. Later on I acquired a MULTI-CHORD, and quickly became aware that nothing could be more distant from the truth. After realizing that I had erred in my judgment, I dove headlong into an area of thinking that needed an attitude adjustment.

I worked with a group that says I am the only steel picker they know that would even try Sweet Home Alabama. ????????????

Roual Ranes wrote:I worked with a group that says I am the only steel picker they know that would even try Sweet Home Alabama. ????????????

The guitar part isn't that hard on E9th. I used to play it.

I have played Sweet Home,MANY,MANY,MANY,times,Plus CDB,CCR,DBT,ABB,SKYNARD,HANK 2 AND 3.If it can be played on six strings,you can bet it can be played on ten.No big deal.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

b0b,
Truwe, I wonder why other players had not done it.
Did they just not know it?

Bill I'm glad you mentioned Russ Bennett..One of the best players I have ever heard up there in New England..I met him at one of my first Mass Bashes you put on over 30 years ago and what I heard that night still stays with me..Bobby Suzor and I drove to Johnny Whites house one time on invite to Join in some shows together..We did it with the Chance to play with Russ.. I have since worked (on your shows) with and run into Russ several times.He is as nice a person as he is a player..

Joe,

It's always good to read your accounts of past events throughout Massachusetts. I know that you've saved the day many times by attending the steel guitar extravaganzas and working the "mike" for the entire day. Of the many shows in different locations, your knowledge of country music lyrics was never surpassed by all visitors. Your admiration for players of the pedal steel guitar was always appreciated by all attendees. Russ Bennett's home town is here in Pittsfield, MA. After serving his military duties in Germany, he moved to Salem, MA where he found employment with a close relative who
lives there. Whenever I visited that area, Russ would always take me to see a good country music band. TERRY SUTTON, ROCKY STONE, TINA WELCH, JOHNNY WHITE, were some of the entertainment featured back then. After I had visited THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES, as well as the WITCH HOUSE, Russ told me that he did some of the work on the walkway leading into the famous structure. As a musician he has a good knowledge of who's who in the greater Boston area.

A lot of people don't like the song. I like taking a solo in it, but I don't like the lyric about Neil Young. Shakey may be an ass at times, but he's also a great artist who partnered with a great steel player (Ben Keith) for most of his career.

Sweet Home Alabama is a gas to solo on because you really don't have to pay much attention to the chords (all 3 of 'em). Just get into that pentatonic mode and let 'er rip.

As long as anyone can do a credible Job I say any song is fair game..

A steel player not being able to play a solo in SHA. How on earth could you play in a band and not know how to play all that simple kind of crap?

Stuart,
I guess they had a mind set that it was considered ROCK........???????...that is the only answer I could ever determine.......where I came from any song was fair game.

Im not sure what a 40 year old song has to do with attracting new players

Maybe something really new and cutting edge like a Duran Duran song

On the other hand... all this crazy talk about double time Under the Double Eagle and Multi-Chord brand steels...well thats just avant-garde - way too far out there

Chuck,

I had a brother-in-law who was a prison guard in California. Another former relative owns a large ranch in Texas. I heard that he has something to do with one of the radio stations in that state. I had pointed out the "UNDER THE DOUBLE EAGLE" incident to bring to the attention of newcomers to the pedal steel guitar, the fact that the tune is more difficult to play on the steel guitar than say, the standard 6 string guitar. It's a tune that has stood the test of time.

Bill it most certainly has. The last 15 or 20 musical acts I have seen all played it, some of them twice in a night. The demand for the song was startling. Even a lute player I saw recently played it.

It has indeed stood the test of time.

S

Bill Hankey wrote:I had pointed out the "UNDER THE DOUBLE EAGLE" incident to bring to the attention of newcomers to the pedal steel guitar, the fact that the tune is more difficult to play on the steel guitar than say, the standard 6 string guitar. It's a tune that has stood the test of time.

I can play it on E9th. No problem. I had only been playing for a few years when I learned it.

All of the notes are in the C scale, mostly at the 3rd fret. What makes you think it is difficult, Bill?

b0b,

I very seldom disagree with you, but on this matter I think that there is a better than average chance of disproving your statement. According to what I've learned about the tune, the BRIDGE moves to the key of (F). That is where you pour on the the chord changes, using rapid chord changes that are probably dissimilar to anything that you are familiar with in your arrangement. Another important point worth mentioning, is the fact that to keep up with an unfamiliar fast tempo, you may soon change your mind about using terminology such as "not difficult".

Bill

You must either think you are a vastly superior musician to the rest of us or we are all musical illiterates. It just a diminished and a circle of 5ths. Nothing at all difficult about It for any musician with average skills. Perhaps you need more practice.

S

lol......

You all are acting like the man doesn't know what he's talking about... but there are times I think he knows exactly what he's talking about:

... more comedic, rather than settle into a discussion that pertains to factual events concerning the steel guitar.

It becomes very easy for the train of thoughts to suddenly jump the tracks and catapult down a slope of no return.

...this forum is made up of serious-minded musicians, for the most part. 99 percent are not interested in silly exchanges between just a few who have been known to "throw" the bull.

….members of our society who go off on a ridiculous tangent, harping and carrying on interminably.

Bill Hankey wrote:b0b,

I very seldom disagree with you, but on this matter I think that there is a better than average chance of disproving your statement. According to what I've learned about the tune, the BRIDGE moves to the key of (F). That is where you pour on the the chord changes, using rapid chord changes that are probably dissimilar to anything that you are familiar with in your arrangement. Another important point worth mentioning, is the fact that to keep up with an unfamiliar fast tempo, you may soon change your mind about using terminology such as "not difficult".

Yes, you have to go up to the 8th fret for the bridge, but it's actually easier than the verse. It's the same chords as a dozen or so other polkas, round the horn so to speak. Really, most 3rd year steel players know this stuff, don't they? I know I did.